Lexical Summary naveh: Dwelling, habitation, pasture, abode Original Word: נָאוֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance becometh, comely, seemly From na'ah or naveh; suitable, or beautiful -- becometh, comely, seemly. see HEBREW na'ah see HEBREW naveh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naah Definition comely, seemly NASB Translation becoming (2), comely (1), fitting (3), lovely (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָאוֶה adjective comely, seemly; — ׳נ masculine Songs 2:14 3t.; feminine נָאוָה Psalm 33:1 4t., נָוָה Jeremiah 6:2; — 1 comely, beautiful, of woman Songs 1:5; Songs 6:4 ("" יָפָה) of face Songs 2:14 (מַרְאֶה) so נָוָה Jeremiah 6:2 (figurative of Jerusalem; "" מְעֻנָּגָה); of mouth Songs 4:3 ("" שְׂפָתוֺת). 2 seemly, of praise תְּהִלָּה Psalm 33:1; Psalm 147:1; subject שְׂפַתיֶֿתֶר Proverbs 17:7 (compare Songs 4:3); תַּעֲנוּג Cant 19:10; כָּבוֺד Cant 26:1. So also Psalm 93:5 Masora (anomalous feminine) see [נאה] above נְאוֺת see II. [ נָוָה] below II. נוה. נאם √ of following; compare Topical Lexicon Semantic Rangeנָאוֶה gathers the ideas of attractiveness, loveliness, and what is fitting or becoming. It may describe outward beauty (Song of Songs) or moral propriety (Proverbs), and in worship settings it speaks of praise that matches God’s character (Psalms). The term therefore bridges aesthetic delight and ethical rightness. Occurrences and Literary Context • Psalm 33:1; 147:1 – “How pleasant and fitting it is to praise Him!” The word underscores that worship is not merely allowed but perfectly appropriate for the upright. Theological Themes 1. Beauty and Holiness: Praise is beautiful because God is beautiful in holiness (Psalms). Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern poetry often employed visual metaphors drawn from cities, fauna, and noble attire. Solomon’s gardens, Lebanon’s cedars, and the fortified city of Tirzah served as touchpoints for describing what was נָאוֶה. In communal worship, the Levites declared that praise was “fitting,” reinforcing temple liturgy as the right response to God’s covenant acts. Christological Implications Praise that is “fitting” ultimately centers on Jesus Christ, the fullest revelation of divine beauty (John 1:14). The incongruity Proverbs decries is resolved in Him, “who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The loveliness of the bride in Song of Songs prefigures the Church, presented to Christ “without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). Jeremiah’s lament anticipates the Servant whose beauty is marred (Isaiah 52:14) so that His people might be made lovely. Practical Ministry Applications • Worship Leaders: Shape gatherings so that praise aligns with the character and works of God—beautiful because it is true. Intertextual Connections Hebrew נָאוֶה parallels the Greek καλός (good, beautiful) and πρέπω (to be fitting). Together they affirm that what is morally right is also aesthetically pleasing to God (Titus 2:1, 14). Summary Strong’s Hebrew 5000 binds together beauty and propriety. Whether adorning the praise of the upright, evaluating the wisdom of speech, celebrating covenant love, or lamenting fallen Jerusalem, נָאוֶה calls God’s people to live lives whose beauty and fitness reflect their Redeemer. Forms and Transliterations הַנָּוָה֙ הנוה וְֽנָאוָ֔ה ונאוה נָאוֶ֑ה נָאוֶ֖ה נָאוֶ֣ה נָאוֶֽה׃ נָאוָ֖ה נָאוָ֣ה נָאוָ֥ה נאוה נאוה׃ han·nā·wāh hannaVah hannāwāh nā·wāh nā·weh naVah naVeh nāwāh nāweh venaVah wə·nā·wāh wənāwāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 33:1 HEB: בַּֽיהוָ֑ה לַ֝יְשָׁרִ֗ים נָאוָ֥ה תְהִלָּֽה׃ NAS: Praise is becoming to the upright. KJV: [for] praise is comely for the upright. INT: the LORD to the upright is becoming Praise Psalm 147:1 Proverbs 17:7 Proverbs 19:10 Proverbs 26:1 Songs 1:5 Songs 2:14 Songs 4:3 Songs 6:4 Jeremiah 6:2 10 Occurrences |
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groan, sigh; perhaps also Late Hebrew נוּם speak).